If you are from Africa, you already know that it has a lot of regional blocs or what are also called Regional Economic Communities (REC’s). As these communities define the laws and regulations that cover border crossing, it would be worthwhile to get a better picture of how these communities relate to its member countries and to other communities in the African region.
These REC’s are created primarily to develop mutually beneficial trading relationships between member countries but some REC’s also cooperate politically and militarily. Many of these communities have overlapping memberships.
The picture below is a diagram of the regional trading arrangements of eastern and southern Africa. It gives us an idea of how some states are members of more than one community. If you wish to learn more about these communities, visit Wikipedia.
OVERLAPPING MEMBERSHIPS IN EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICAN
REGIONAL ECONOMIC COMMUNITIES
COMESA: Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
SADC: Southern African Development Community
EAC: East African Community
Africa Used Vehicle Adviser 
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